The Hawks, who are the real deal, are also pulling out… Former DeNA player Bauer: “A big firestorm with ‘welcome back’ to inmates in a fatal accident” Surprising destination.
Welcome home Ridge!
This post by Trevor Bauer, 33, who was released from DeNA on a free-agent contract, has caused a firestorm: On January 12, local media reported that U.S. Navy prisoner Ridge Arconis, who caused a fatal accident in Japan, was transferred to Los Angeles and released on parole. Bauer responded by sending a message on a social networking service saying, “Welcome back.
Arconis was involved in an accident in May of 2009. He fell asleep at the wheel in Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture, and crashed into a parking lot, killing two people. Arconis was sentenced to three years in prison for violating the Automobile Driving Punishment Law (manslaughter). However, some members of the U.S. Congress argued that he was wrongfully detained, and he was transferred to Los Angeles last December and released on parole,” said a U.S.-based reporter for a national newspaper.
According to local media, Arconis claimed that he lost consciousness due to acute mountain sickness while driving. But a human life has been lost. Bauer’s post was met with a firestorm of “too insensitive” and “I failed to see that. Bauer apologized in his video as follows
I was just trying to put myself in the shoes of the children.
The reason I posted “Welcome Home” was because I felt for the father’s (Arconis’) children. I have no intention to hurt the people of Japan or those who lost their loved ones. I deeply apologize.
Bauer’s words and actions have often been controversial.
In May 2009, he was accused of assaulting a woman. He was suspended for 324 games in the majors (later reduced to 194 games). In October of last year, he reached a settlement with the woman.
In January of this year, he appeared live on Fox News in the U.S. and said, “I want to play baseball in the United States. Japanese fans were disappointed, asking, “Was DeNA just a stepping stone to a return to the majors?
I think it is Bauer’s true desire to play baseball in the majors, but the U.S. is very strict about women. But the U.S. is very strict about women’s issues. Even though a settlement was reached and the charges were dropped, it would be difficult for Bauer to return to the majors at an early date after the assault. He was released from DeNA last November, but it was realistic for him to play in Japanese baseball again this season.
SoftBank was seen as the main candidate as a destination. One of the reasons why the Hawks have failed to win the championship for three consecutive years is the absence of an absolute ace. Bauer, who leads the team with his fighting spirit, was thought to be the right man for the job. Softbank, with its strong financial resources, would have an advantage in the money game in terms of money,” said a reporter for a sports newspaper.
However, the “inflammatory post” this time turned the tide.
SoftBank has been criticized by fans over the issue of human compensation for Hotaka Yamakawa, who caused a ruckus when he assaulted a woman. They are becoming more cautious about trouble. In such a situation, I don’t think they would acquire Bauer, who has been under heavy fire. Even if they had the intention of acquiring him, I think they would probably withdraw from the project.
Now that a high level of awareness of compliance is required, other professional baseball teams would probably hesitate to acquire Bauer, who has been in a series of troubles. The rumored destination for Bauer is a surprising one.
It is the South Korean professional baseball team. In South Korea, Shohei Ohtani’s Dodgers are playing their season opener in Seoul, and interest in the majors is growing.’ Bauer, who won the Cy Young Award in 2008, would have enough power to attract an audience. If a Japanese or U.S. team fails to acquire him, there is a possibility that a Korean team will try to acquire him.
It is certain that Bauer’s “options” have narrowed as a result of the current firestorm. Spring camp has already begun. Whatever decision Bauer makes, there is not much time left.
PHOTO: Kyodo News